THE GREEN ECONOMY, HEALTH CO-BENEFITS OF CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Abstract

Climate change has become a problem that received global interest in a world that strives to achieve sustainable development. Sustainable development and climate change mitigation lie within the domain of Green Economy which stresses low carbon development and conservation of resources. This article deals with health co-benefits of climate change mitigation strategies in the context of green economy and in the light of the mitigation strategies recommended by the IPCC (2007).Health effects of climate change were discussed. These included: the effects of heat waves; effects on the basic requirements for health: clean air and water; adequate food and shelter. There was increased air pollution; increased activity and multiplication of pathogens resulting in increase of air- and water-borne diseases including diarrhoeal diseases and cholera; extension of vector-borne diseases including malaria to new areas due to the effect on the disease vectors; the effects of extreme weather events : wind storms resulting in death , injury and damage of property; floods causing drowning and contamination of drinking water with sewage, industrial and agricultural waste; and drought. Agricultural production will be affected with resulting malnutrition. Post-traumatic stress follows extreme weather events. Forced migration due to floods and sea level rise causes deterioration of hygiene ; sanitation ; health services, and economic and social conditions.Health co-benefits are discussed in 3 sectors: housing, health facilities and workplaces.In the housing sector, the subject is discussed under 3 headings: i. housing contribution to climate change; ii. effect of climate change on the housing environment and human health and iii. housing and human health risks including environmental health risks (indoor air quality risks; extreme thermal conditions; pests and infestations; noise; and urban form and density) diseases and injuries in residential buildings (T.B. and other air-borne infectious diseases; vector-borne diseases; water-borne diseases and diseases due to water scarcity and sanitation; domestic injuries; mental health; sick building syndrome and other building-related diseases). In the health care facilities, water and energy needs are huge, and the sector contributes a sizeable proportion of Green House gases (GHGs). Greening hospitals will participate in the efforts for mitigation and health care buildings that participated in the “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” programme achieved reduction in energy consumption in addition to health benefits. Mitigation strategies involved the areas of structural specification of buildings; sitting; renewable energy; water management; waste management; recapture and reuse of anaesthetic gases, tele-health; better managed procurement policies and green areas.Mitigation strategies in the workplaces referred to the “Green Job Initiatives” and stressed protection of the health of workers and the community; study of the health effects of new materials and new processes before they are put to operation and the preventive and control measures for hazards at the workplaces. Several industries were discussed: renewable energy (solar; wind; hydropower; biomass; marine wave and tidal energies and geothermal energy); waste management and recycling; mining; agriculture and construction and renovation industries. Hazards of each industry were outlined and control measures were suggested.